Evaluation of the musculoskeletal system with sonography.

Although musculoskeletal sonography historically has received little attention, its use in certain specific situations has clear advantages over use of other imaging techniques. The wide availability of sonography, its modest cost, and its lack of ionizing radiation are other reasons that its use in musculoskeletal conditions is expected to increase. We have reviewed potential applications; some of these applications are new and have been used in a small series of patients, and others, such as infant hip sonography, have already been used in thousands of cases. Additional applications may be possible [64]. Those learning the techniques of musculoskeletal sonography will find that progress is made most quickly when there is close cooperation between the sonographer and the clinician. While experience is being gained, each party must endeavor to understand what the technique is able to determine and what it cannot determine. Only through close cooperation, and with adequate opportunity to learn, will the sonographer and the clinician develop confidence in the technique to the point that it becomes the effective imaging alternative that best suits the needs of the patient.